making sure

USAGE SUMMARY

'making sure' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when talking about an effort to ensure that something is done correctly or as expected. For example: I double-checked the document before sending it out, making sure all of the information was accurate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just making sure.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They're making sure they find him".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was making sure I wouldn't miss".

The Guardian - Sport

We're making sure that gate remains open.

The New York Times

Marbury is making sure of that now.

The New York Times - Sports

Making sure they get good jobs.

The Guardian

We are making sure that happens".

The Guardian

He's making sure I stay positive.

The New York Times - Sports

We'll be making sure it's not quiet".

The Guardian

Making sure I have cat food delivered.

The Guardian

1. Making sure "the right" candidate wins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify what actions are being taken to "make sure", providing concrete details or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "making sure" without specifying the object or action being ensured. Ambiguity can arise if it's unclear what you are trying to confirm or guarantee. For instance, instead of saying "Making sure is important", specify "Making sure the data is accurate is important".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making sure" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the action of ensuring or verifying something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making sure" functions as a versatile gerund phrase used to describe the action of confirming or guaranteeing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational content. While generally neutral in tone, substituting synonyms like "ensuring" or "verifying" may be more appropriate in formal settings. When employing "making sure", it is important to specify what is being ensured to avoid ambiguity. Overall, this phrase remains a common and effective way to express proactive confirmation in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensuring

Focuses on guaranteeing a specific outcome or condition, similar to "making sure" but with a slightly more formal tone.

guaranteeing

Emphasizes a firm promise or assurance, conveying a stronger sense of certainty than "making sure".

verifying

Highlights the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something, often involving a detailed examination.

confirming

Stresses the act of establishing something as true or certain, often through evidence or proof.

assuring

Focuses on removing doubt or anxiety, providing confidence that something is as it should be.

ascertaining

Involves discovering something with certainty, often through investigation or inquiry; more formal than "making sure".

seeing to it that

Implies taking action to ensure a specific result, often involving direct involvement or supervision.

taking care to

Highlights the diligence and attention applied to achieve a desired outcome, emphasizing careful action.

checking that

Emphasizes the act of inspecting or examining something to confirm its correctness or condition.

taking precautions to

Highlights preventative measures taken to avoid negative outcomes, focusing on foresight and planning.

FAQs

How can I use "making sure" in a sentence?

"Making sure" is used to express the act of confirming or guaranteeing something. For example: "I am "making sure" all the doors are locked before leaving."

What are some alternatives to "making sure"?

Alternatives include "ensuring", "guaranteeing", or "verifying" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "making sure" or "to make sure"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Making sure" often functions as a gerund phrase, while "to make sure" functions as an infinitive indicating purpose. For example: "I checked again, to make sure it was locked."

What's the difference between "making sure" and "being sure"?

"Making sure" implies an active effort to confirm or guarantee something, while "being sure" indicates a state of certainty. For instance, "I am "making sure" I have all the documents" versus "I am sure I have all the documents".